After Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was sworn into office on January 17, his first official act was to make it easier for residents without college degrees to get jobs in state government.
"Effective immediately, 92% of all Commonwealth jobs do not require a four-year degree, roughly equivalent to 65,000 jobs," Shapiro, a Democrat, wrote in an executive order. "Consistent with this Administration's commitment to emphasizing skills and experience, job postings will begin with equivalent experience needed in lieu of a college degree whenever possible." For the remaining 8 percent of jobs, Shapiro ordered Pennsylvania Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver to determine whether requirements can be revised to allow for practical experience instead of a college degree.
